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Images: Beloved teacher called 'brilliant ray of light'

Mourners walk towards one of the high school fields during a candle light vigil held outside the Danvers High School for Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer who was murdered by one of her students, 14 year old Philip D. Chism.

Danvers school students Isabella Burrell, 8th grade, and Colin Marie, junior, light a candle at a memorial outside the high school during a candle light vigil held for Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer who was murdered by one of her students, 14 year old Philip D. Chism.

Candles were lit at a make shift memorial outside the Danvers High School during a candle light vigil for Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer who was murdered by one of her students, 14 year old Philip D. Chism.

Hana Rhaddaoui, 7, from Danvers, helps to keep candles lit during a candle light vigil held outside the Danvers High School for Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer who was murdered by one of her students, 14 year old Philip D. Chism.

Danvers High School students Emma Gamble, left, sophomore, and Brooke Baracewicz, right, junior, light a candle at a memorial outside the high school during a candle light vigil held for Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer who was murdered by one of her students, 14 year old Philip D. Chism.

Danvers teen, Philip Chism, was accused of murdering his teacher after her body was found outside the high school.

Colleen Ritzer, 24, was found dead behind the school, officials said.

Ritzer, 24, of Andover, taught math at the school.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett released few details about the murder, but said blood was found in a second-floor bathroom at the high school shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday night.

The school was immediately secured.

Crime scene investigators look over a stone wall near where the body of teacher Colleen Ritzer was found Wednesday morning Oct. 23.

Sometime on their last day at the school together Tuesday, prosecutors say, teacher Colleen Ritzer and 14-year-old student Philip Chism crossed paths, and he killed her.

Officials haven't released a cause of death or discussed a motive in the killing. A court filing said Ritzer and Chism knew each other from the high school, but it didn't elaborate.

Crime scene investigators enter Danvers High School investigating the murder of teacher Colleen Ritzer whose body was found behind the school Wednesday morning Oct. 23

Investigators said in court documents that the arrest was made based on statements by the suspect, evidence from school surveillance cameras and corroborating evidence in multiple places.

Ritzer was "a very respected and loved teacher," Blodgett said.

She was in her second year teaching at the school, according to our news partners at Wicked Local/Danvers, and she previously taught at the Hale Middle School in Stow.

All public schools in Danvers were closed Wednesday as police investigate the homicide.

Chism had moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee before the start of the school year and was a top scorer on the school's junior varsity soccer team, said Kyle Cahill, a junior who also plays soccer.

Prosecutors said they would move t o charge Chism as an adult.

He was charged with murder and held without bail at his arraignment.

Students at Danvers High expressed their grief on social media.

Ritzer says she's a "math teacher often too excited" about the topics she taught.

She used Twitter to send out assignments.

Friends and family said they are distraught over her death.

The Boston Red Sox held a moment of silence for Ritzer on Wednesday at Fenway Park before Game 1 of the World Series.

Christian Veatch, front, Gail Wade and Danvers High student Spencer Wade think about teacher Colleen Ritzer in front of the school at a make-shift memorial they have set up.

Gail Wade and her son Danvers High student Spencer Wade talk about teacher Colleen Ritzer in front of the school at a make-shift memorial they have set up

A vigil for Colleen Ritzer was held at Danvers High School Wednesday night.

A vigil for Colleen Ritzer was held at Danvers High School Wednesday night.

A lantern is sent up.

Parents are trying to comfort their children.

Some questioned the motive.

Grief counselors were on hand at the school.

Some students said they were shaken and scared.

Mourners left notes for the family.

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